Chicago—The Chicago Cubs received a very quality start out of their ace Jon Lester on Wednesday afternoon. The Cubs were able to take the third game of the series against the Colorado Rockies with a 3-2 victory.

Lester (6-8) was absolutely dominate against the Rockies offense. He lasted a season high eight innings en route to his sixth win of the season. He allowed two runs on five hits and allowed one home run. The big story of the afternoon for Lester, he fanned 14 Rockies hitters in the eight innings he threw.

The Cubs would help the Lester cause early in the ball game. Center fielder Dexter Fowler led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run to right center field. First baseman Anthony Rizzo also added a two-run home run of his own in the bottom of the third inning that drove in Fowler. These three runs would be all that was needed to secure the win for Lester.

Rizzo would finish the afternoon with the home run, being the only hit in four trips to the plate and driving in two runs. Fowler’s home run would also be his only hit in four plate appearances, but walked two times.

Unfortunately for Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler (3-7), those two mistakes he made in the first and third inning would prove to be the dagger that led to his demise. Butler tossed five strong innings allowing three runs on five hits, two of those being home runs, and recording four strike outs.

Colorado did not help themselves at the plate at all striking out 16 times in the Wednesday matinee. For the Rockies, the three through seven spots in the order combined to go 2-for-16 with 11 strikeouts and two RBIs. The lineup was highlighted by right fielder Carlos Gonzalez, even amidst possible trade talks, homered for his eighth time in the last seven games and the 21st time this season. Third baseman Nolan Arenado drove in his Major League leading 77th RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu produced a hitless afternoon and saw his 18-game hitting streak come to an end.

Jose Reyes started off his Rockies campaign with a nice bang. Reyes would finish the afternoon 1-for-3 with a single. He also swiped a bag as part of a double steal with Charlie Blackmon, and was caught stealing in the top of the first as well.

The Chicago Cubs will head to Milwaukee to take on the Milwaukee Brewers for a four-game set. Jake Arrieta (11-6) will open the series for the Cubs against Brewers righty Jimmy Nelson (8-9). First pitch is slated for Thursday, July 30th at 8:10 P.M. EST. The game can be seen on CSN and Fox Sports Wisconsin.

The Colorado Rockies will head to the Midwest to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game series. The Rockies will send Chad Rusin (3-4) to the hill to counter Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez (11-4). First pitch is slated for Thursday, July 30th at 7:15 P.M. EST. The game can be seen on Fox Sports Midwest and ROOT Sports.